advent

I didn't grow up in a very liturgical church, but have discovered as an adult that celebrating liturgical cycles like Advent and Lent really helps me connect to the true meaning of the celebration that they lead up to.  So a tradition that Tim and I and now Esther have made part of our household is an Advent wreath.  We do it with four candles, and we light a candle or candles each evening and have a reading related to the coming of Christmas.  Tim and I have done rather elaborate readings in the past, but with Esther now old enough to understand (sort of) what we are doing, but not nearly old enough to sit through a lot of words, we decided this year to choose a verse each week and say it every night so that we memorize it as a family.  This past week, the first week of Advent, we lit the candle of Hope each evening and learned the verse "All God's promises are "Yes" in Jesus." (2 Corinthians 1:20, paraphrased).  I also tried to tell Esther Bible stories of God making a promise and then keeping it.  Starting tomorrow (Sunday) we can light two candles each night (for Hope and Peace).  I'll have to start thinking about what verse to learn!  Then the third week we will add the candle of Joy, and the fourth week we will add the candle of Love.  I think Esther's favorite part right now is blowing out the candle when we are done, but it is good to think of this tradition being part of how she experiences Christmas growing up.